BlackBerry Protect beta available in the UK

RIM has made the beta version of its BlackBerry Protect app available to users in the UK. It’s entirely free and offers a whole range of options should you lose your BlackBerry. In the worst case, you can remotely wipe all data, including stuff on the MicroSD card.

With BlackBerry Protect you can remotely lock your BlackBerry, or display a “lost and found” message on-screen. Handily, you can also track it using GPS, which means you can sic the cops on unsuspecting thieves or come over all Charles Bronson and go get it yourself. Not that we’d recommend the latter. Still, good idea for a film.

Another neat feature is the ability to force the BlackBerry to ring at full volume. Pretty handy if it’s fallen down the back of the couch.

RIM says: “Maybe you’ve just misplaced your smartphone. Lock and display a message on your smartphone Home screen for whoever may find it. Then locate it on a map and go get it. Or if you think your smartphone is nearby, simply force it to ring at full volume.”

There’s also a back-up facility for text messages, calendar and bookmarks. The back-up can be done wirelessly, and automatically on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.